Firearms Publications

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning Jan. 5, 2006. On this day, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Nevada Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Published/Revised: January 5, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to clarify that the revised ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I - Over The Counter, has no effect on the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees must follow in order to comply with the Brady Law. The procedures enumerated in the September 2003 Open Letter to All Indiana Firearms Licensees are still in effect.

Published/Revised: December 29, 2005

ATF has received questions from firearms dealers in Pennsylvania concerning the use of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)/Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to do background checks of people who are acquiring firearms from other nonlicensees in what are commonly called “private transfers.”

Published/Revised: December 29, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to update licensed and registered importers of firearms, ammunition and other regulated commodities on the lawful importation of certain firearm barrels into the United States for commercial purposes.

Published/Revised: November 22, 2005

This open letter informs Federal firearms licensees in the U.S. Virgin Islands that the U.S. Virgin Islands Firearms Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

The purpose of this letter is to inform all Georgia Federal firearms licensees (FFL) that Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

This letter is superseded by ATF's Jan. 5, 2006, open letter.  The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

This open letter informs Alaska Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, only Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits marked "NICS EXEMPT" will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

This open letter informs Northern Mariana Island Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification Card Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

Certain integral devices intended to diminish the report of paintball guns are not “firearm silencers” or “firearm mufflers” under the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised: October 12, 2005

In an effort to keep Federal firearms licensees (FFL) abreast of changing firearms laws and regulations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will provide semi-annual FFL Newsletters. ATF will publish the newsletters in February and August of each year and distribute them to each FFL. Previous editions of the FFL Newsletters are available on ATF’s website (http://www.atf.gov).

Published/Revised: August 30, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to provide important updated information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.

Published/Revised: August 12, 2005